Lots of encouraging news this week! Welcome to the PITT weekly roundup where you find a list of the week’s postings along with links to some of our favorite books, social media, and podcasts.
PITT POSTS THIS WEEK:
February 2: Future talk to daughter from heaven
February 1: What I Want to Say
January 31: I have a problem: A Desistor's Manifesto. Part 3
January 30: Help Heal My Moral Injury!
January 29: Please Don't Forget Yourself
WHAT WE’RE READING
If you read nothing else, make sure you check out As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do by Pamela Paul in the New York Times on February 2. Yes, you read correctly. The NYT has a well-researched, balanced article on trans matters. And check out the comments section. If you are reading this you are concerned about the dangers of trans-ideology and, if you read the comments, you will know you are not alone. Archive addition.
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
Are college campuses infringing on First Amendment rights? One liberal scholar says yes
Harvard psychology professor and author Steven Pinker talks with Here & Now's Scott Tong. Though not specifically about gender, this touches its relevance to any conversation about free speech and addresses how Carole Hooven (author of “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us”) was hounded out of Harvard for stating that are two sexes.
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/01/24/free-speech-college-campuses
IN THE NEWS
The World Health Organization clarifies that it will not make any recommendations for children and adolescents due to limited evidence regarding long-term outcomes of affirmative care for youth.
https://segm.org/world-health-organization-transgender-guidelines
GET OUR BOOK
Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans: Tales from the Home Front in the Fight to Save Our Kids, a compendium of some of the most compelling essays yet from PITT.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Have a story to share about gender ideology and trans-genderism? Submit to Pitt@genspect.org.
So, wow....only one month into 2024, and things are really looking up. I have a lot of disdain for the NYT, so I was incredibly shocked that they ran such a comprehensive and fairly objective article. They are notorious for only running stories when they think their progressive reader base is ready for it (In the meanwhile, those following independent journalists are already aware of what is going on.) So, I would be willing to bet that someone in the highest of the 'elite' class has a child that wants to transition, and they desperately want to slow down this train.
After reading the New York Times piece, and many, many of the readers' comments, I can honestly say I think the tide has started to turn. The comments are running at least 10-to-1 in support of extreme caution and exploratory therapy for minors first, rather than immediate affirmation; and very few readers think gender surgeries for under-18's should ever be allowed.
One person pointed out that this piece likely would never have run, even ONE year ago.
I was dismayed, though, by some comments from people whose knowledge on trans treatment is hopelessly outdated. Some commenters believe things are still being done the old way, with no hormones or surgeries ever given without lots of therapy first, and psychiatric evaluations by multiple professionals over a few years' time.
One person wrote to the effect of, "Hormones and surgeries aren't just given out on demand."
This would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.